Loss of distance!

[Papas1982]

During the back end of summer having had my first lesson I decided to stop recording every drive for distance and concentrate of accuracy. I used to hit maybe 20% fairways with maybe a further 50% in left or right rough and the final 30% would be in the lap of the gods. I'd lose at least one ball a round.

Over the last 15 rounds I have lost 2 balls and have hit the fairways 63% with 22% in the rough (predominantly right).

I decided to to record distance today and having measured all the drives I seem to have lost a good 35 yards. As this is my first winter of golf I'm just curious, is a drop of of such distance usual over winter? Don't get me wrong my average round has dropped 10 shots in the process so I'm happy to write of the distance. Just curious if, come summer the distance may return?

If only I had a short game, I could maybe get somewhere!!!

 

[Deleted member 15717]

pretty much, yes. Colder balls, heavier air, possibly wrapped up in layers of clothes which could affect swing speeds. A loss of distance is normal

 

[HomerJSimpson]

There is normally a drop off in distance over the winter but 35 yards sounds excessive. Have you had your swing checked out?

 

[fundy]

Is this carry or total distance?

If its carry thats quite a loss, if total distance compared to summer then I expect most lose more with no run on the fairways, colder temps, more wind etc

 

[Papas1982]

Is this carry or total distance?

If its carry thats quite a loss, if total distance compared to summer then I expect most lose more with no run on the fairways, colder temps, more wind etc

it's total distance, I'm not sure wind has much if an effect as course plays pretty much front to back so what it takes on some it gives back on others. With the changes I have implemented, my drive is now a lot flatter so I get more roll than I used too. But yeah I've lost 35 yards total distance from my averaged of summer.

 

[Imurg]

There is normally a drop off in distance over the winter but 35 yards sounds excessive. Have you had your swing checked out?

Not if you're concentrating on accuracy it's not.......
I think you can allow 15-20 yards less distance due to the weather and the rest on focusing on accuracy

 

[fundy]

it's total distance, I'm not sure wind has much if an effect as course plays pretty much front to back so what it takes on some it gives back on others. With the changes I have implemented, my drive is now a lot flatter so I get more roll than I used too. But yeah I've lost 35 yards total distance from my averaged of summer.

On that basis I wouldnt worry greatly, if you think your still shorter when things dry out in spring then Id probably get a pro to have a look. Also depends on how much you are losing out from the loss of distance, may be worth going to the pro and explaining youve improved your accuracy but now want to try and add some distance without sacrificing the accuracy (easier said than done)

I often hit iron off the tee, costs me up to 100 yards on the driver but can be the best option where the accuracy and not distance are crucial, its about the best score dont forget

 

[Jon321]

I think if you are concentrating on hitting the fairway you will be swinging a fair bit slower. That with the colder weather probably adds up to your distance loss. If you find you have only lost 10-15 yards in the summer I'd say that would be worth it for the better accuracy you have found.

 

[williamalex1]

Happens every year , I lose about the same as your self . 10yrds lost through cold air, and at least 25yrds because soft ground takes me down to forum average . Just wait till the ground is frozen solid you'll get your run back, like playing ping pong.

 

[srixon 1]

Do you know what your swing speed was in the summer and what it is now?

 

[Papas1982]

Do you know what your swing speed was in the summer and what it is now?

No idea what it was back in the summer. On 3bays it's calculating it as 97mph. But is also says that's a carry of 237 which I'm not hitting at the minute. I have done when at range trying to cream it, can get it upto about 101. But then there is no consistency at all.

 

[jimbob.someroo]

I would say my total driving distance is at least 35 yards down at the moment as we're getting no run whatsoever. I hit it high and so with wet fairways are more often than not in my pitchmark off the tee.

Accuracy is far more important at the moment, as long as you can still reach the holes in the same regulation. As in, you're still able to reach the same (or similar) number of par 4/5's in regulation.

You'll probably lose 10 yards on your irons too but if you can get your fundamentals sorted now and still play to handicap or thereabouts, you'll come tumbling down when the weather gets better. That's what I found last year anywhos so am trying again at the moment!

 

[Papas1982]

I would say my total driving distance is at least 35 yards down at the moment as we're getting no run whatsoever. I hit it high and so with wet fairways are more often than not in my pitchmark off the tee.

Accuracy is far more important at the moment, as long as you can still reach the holes in the same regulation. As in, you're still able to reach the same (or similar) number of par 4/5's in regulation.

You'll probably lose 10 yards on your irons too but if you can get your fundamentals sorted now and still play to handicap or thereabouts, you'll come tumbling down when the weather gets better. That's what I found last year anywhos so am trying again at the moment!

Im looking forward to summer, hoping to make some serious inroads into the handicap. Have a batch of lessons for spring all lined up. Short game was a joke today. 44putts and 5 failed chips!

 

[jimbob.someroo]

Im looking forward to summer, hoping to make some serious inroads into the handicap. Have a batch of lessons for spring all lined up. Short game was a joke today. 44putts and 5 failed chips!

For me the short game is something I can work on all year round. Like with chipping, the landing spots differ as you'll get less role, but it's no different hitting a chip to land 20 yards away now than it is in summer. Get a 'stock' chip you're happy with and just work on it a shed load

Sounds like you're handicap will come tumbling down though if you can tidy up on and around the greens :thup:

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I wouldn't worry about distance in these conditions - your true reflection will be in about 3 months or so

 

[williamalex1]

Im looking forward to summer, hoping to make some serious inroads into the handicap. Have a batch of lessons for spring all lined up. Short game was a joke today. 44putts and 5 failed chips!

Don't worry about putts in these conditions, :thup:

 

[Dave B]

I would say that 20-30 yds isn't far off the mark as the temps have dropped the ground is softer and fairway grass tends to be longer.

In addition many golfers swing slower due to a combination of the cold and layers of clothing.

You can gain a little distance by changing ball however in the main it's simply a case of playing to the conditions and clubbing up accordingly.

One thing I noticed it that you play a Nike covert. With many adjustable drivers it may be worth setting it to a slightly higher loft to see if this gives you a little more carry.

 

[Papas1982]

I would say that 20-30 yds isn't far off the mark as the temps have dropped the ground is softer and fairway grass tends to be longer.

In addition many golfers swing slower due to a combination of the cold and layers of clothing.

You can gain a little distance by changing ball however in the main it's simply a case of playing to the conditions and clubbing up accordingly.

One thing I noticed it that you play a Nike covert. With many adjustable drivers it may be worth setting it to a slightly higher loft to see if this gives you a little more carry.

I have it at 11. Used to have a burner 2.0 9.5 degree and that would balloon. The covert has a lower kick point so my natural swing still keeps it pretty arrow like. Plenty of roll in the summer or frosty mornings!

 

[garyinderry]

Take 10ish yards off your normal distance for irons for starters then you can start adding additional yards for even the smallest of breezes. Put a bit of wind in there like there was today it easily becomes and extra 1 and a half clubs. Add that to the 10 yard starter and you are nearly three clubs down.

this is especially the case if the ground is that soft everything plugs. you have to play all carry.

take the extra clubs, swing smoothly to avoid the ball spinning excessively and swallow some pride. ive played with many people who cant let go of their summer distances or refuse to believe it might be more than an extra club.

 

[patricks148]

I wouldn't worry about it we get a massive distance drop of up here over the winter.

Even my mate who hits a long ball was having to us a 4 iron on a 140 yard par 3 on sat.. air presure is also a factor i believe.

I'm lossing 20 yards per club at the moment and almost 40 off the driver on occasion.